The Naval Security Group Detachment and Naval Communications Station at Port Lyautey, French...

The Naval Security Group Detachment (NSG) and Naval Communications Station at Port Lyautey, also known as Kenitra, in French Morocco, played a crucial role during the 1940s and 1950s. This installation served as a strategic hub for communication support and intelligence gathering for the United States Navy during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. Let’s delve into the details of this significant naval facility and its operations.

Situated on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, approximately 40 miles north of Rabat, the capital city, Port Lyautey provided an ideal location for the establishment of the Naval Communications Station. The United States Navy set up this vital installation in 1942 during World War II to support its operations in the Mediterranean and North African regions.

The primary mission of the Naval Communications Station was to ensure secure and reliable communications for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and other military commands. The station also played a critical role in transmitting and receiving encrypted messages, establishing communication links, and gathering signals intelligence (SIGINT). It served as a key communications hub for the Allied forces during important operations, including the 1942 invasions of Morocco and Algeria, known as Operation Torch.